Nevada Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Nevada, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After the termination of the tenancy. The verified state formula is if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after the termination of the tenancy |
| Penalty formula | if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than 3 months' periodic rent for security or surety bond, or a combination thereof, including last month's rent. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (Justice Court small claims (NRS 73.010)) in Justice Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the tenancy by either party for any reason, the landlord may claim of the security or surety bond, or a combination thereof, only such amounts as are reasonably necessary to remedy any default of the tenant in the payment of rent, to repair damages to the premises caused by the tenant other than normal wear and to pay the reasonable costs of cleaning the premises. The landlord shall provide the tenant with an itemized written accounting of the disposition of the security or surety bond, or a combination thereof, and return any remaining portion of the security to the tenant no later than 30 days after the termination of the tenancy by handing it to the tenant personally at the place where the rent is paid, or by mailing it to the tenant at the tenant's present address or, if that address is unknown, at the tenant's last known address.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Nevada is $1,597 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Clark County: $1,626
- Washoe County: $1,608
- Lyon County: $1,326
- Elko County: $1,164
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,597 before applying the state formula: if landlord fails or refuses to return remainder within 30 days: liable for (a) an amount equal to the entire deposit and (b) a court-fixed sum of not more than the amount of the entire deposit; court considers good faith, course of conduct, and degree of harm when setting the additional sum.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | Las Vegas Justice Court, Las Vegas | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Washoe | Reno Justice Court, Reno | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lyon | Canal Township Justice Court, Fernley | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the justice court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See all 21 county small claims courts and filing fees
Free Nevada template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Nevada law (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 calendar days after the termination of the tenancy.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Las Vegas have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Nevada law.
Does Henderson have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Nevada law.
Does North Las Vegas have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Nevada law.
Does Reno have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Nevada law.
What is the small claims limit in Nevada?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Nevada small claims courts and filing fees
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Mesquite.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Tenant resources
- Nevada Legal Serviceslegal aid
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevadalegal aid in Las Vegas
- Northern Nevada Legal Aidlegal aid in Reno
- Civil Law Self-Help Centercourt self help in Las Vegas
- Nevada Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protectionag consumer